QNAP Recovery

Modern QNAP NAS devices use a complex layout of data storing which includes several levels of data organizing:

  • RAID level at which several disks are combined into a single storage. QNAP uses the Linux md driver to build a storage with a given level of fault tolerance.
  • LVM level which is responsible for creating logical volumes on the RAID.
  • Cluster map, QNAP feature, translating logical volume blocks into physical blocks. It is used as a part of an automated-tiering storage technique designed to automatically move active (hot) data to high-performance drives while leaving cold (not often requested) data to lower-cost, higher-capacity drive.
  • Filesystem, the last level, which actually stores files and folders. QNAP uses ext4 and ZFS filesystems for that.

In such multi-level systems, each level can fail resulting in data loss. We have solutions for any kind of QNAP failure, whether it is a RAID level or a file system failure.

QNAP data recovery tutorial

If your QNAP NAS is working properly and all you need is to recover accidentally deleted data, try ReclaiMe NAS Recovery first: it can recover data from NAS devices directly, you do not need to get the disks out and the like. Refer here for the detailed instructions on how to recover deleted files from a QNAP drive.

  1. Pull the disks out of the QNAP and connect them all to the computer running Windows. If possible, use SATA ports on the motherboard, although USB is acceptable as well.
  2. Download and launch ReclaiMe File Recovery software.
  3. Select the QNAP volume under the QNAP volumes. When started, ReclaiMe File Recovery automatically looks for MD-RAID/LVM records and QNAP metadata so it is important to let the software finish the Looking for Linux MD/LVM volumes and QNAP volumes reconstruction stages.
    4. ReclaiMe reading QNAP volumes
  4. Launch scanning the volume. Wait till ReclaiMe File Recovery starts brining data and check the quality of the recovery using the Preview capability of the software.
    5. ReclaiMe reading QNAP volumes

If you do not see the appropriate volumes in ReclaiMe File Recovery or the quality of recovery is poor, contact our support team at Assistance page. Most likely, the QNAP failure affected several levels of data organization, which requires a more thorough investigation.

Also, if you need to recover data from the disk image files used with QNAP Virtualization Station, please refer to this page.

QNAP troubleshooting

There are cases when with a bit of troubleshooting you can access data. However, consider contacting QNAP support before trying manual troubleshooting because sometimes they can help you troubleshoot the case for free. We cannot say that QNAP support can fix any failure, but you should make an attempt, anyway it is free and spoils nothing. At worst you leave with what you had before and can proceed with some other troubleshooting options.

QNAP turns on but its behavior is strange

If your QNAP is out of warranty and behaves strangely when turning on like:

  • turns on and hangs during startup,
  • does not beep after the power is on,
  • does not turn on at all,

then, likely, you deal with Power Supply Unit (PSU) failure. The best solution in this case is to take the device to a local repair shop to check the PSU. Most likely after a technician replaces the PSU, the device will work again. However, some QNAP devices use non-standard PSU and you may need to buy original QNAP replacement or repair the one you already have.

All the steps on video

Still have questions?